I went up twice as a day trip from Apizaco. Reached the clouded top from the resort in three hours the first time. Met some nice people from Puebla on the top, they gave me a ride back to Apizaco. I went up the alternate route the second time, in August. A lot of people up there, it was the last weekend of the summer holidays, great weather all day with a thunderstorm at 5pm when I was in the collectivo back to Apizaco.

I got a late start, having camped on the flanks of Orizaba the night before and having climbed Sierra Negra that morning. I ended up racing to the summit in under 2 1/2 hours, arriving just in time to see the sun set on top of Popo. I managed to make it down to the car without using my headlamp, although I'm not quite sure how. Beautiful area, especially once you get above treeline.

Climbed with Grampahawk and Winding along with 3 others. Started at 3AM and was on the summit ridge for sunrise. We took our time with plenty of breaks and rests. I found it very similar to a Colorado 14er with this being harder while still easier than Whitney in a day. The huts at the bottom are nice.

Very smoggy at the lower levels. This made it impossible to take a clear summit photo looking down into the valley below. But we did get some great shots of Pico de Orizaba,Popo, and Izta peeking up above the clouds.Very dusty trail. We did this as a "tune up" for Pico de Orizaba. I agree with "wingding" about schlepping too much gear. If I go again I've got to fit everything into one pack and a small duffle.

My knees healed from '05 but getting over a month long case of Moctezuma's revenge which saw me loose 10 kgs, I came back here with cousin-in-law Sabino Telesforo Montiel from Yolotepec, Hidalgo. Cloudy and cold and kicked me in the gut but we made the top and then down to our family in the warm cabin ($US90, slept 9) below to our awaiting families.

This was an acclimatization climb with chicagotransplant, Haliku, Kiefer Thomas and two non SPers prior to Pico de Orizaba. It was a fun climb with good weather and views. One of the most memorable aspects was the dog that befriended us on the way up.

Six of us used this climb for acclimation as part of a Haliku Adventures Climbing and Culture trip.
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17 Jan 2005
A nice day hike. Very similar to climbing a Colorado 14er. The route is straight forward and easy to follow. We went up the far right side and then returned down the sand/scree path on the left. Much easier. A pack of 10 local dogs followed us up from the resort. Three even summited with us!

Climbed with Chris (Haliku), Jon (RkyMtn), Kiefer, Barry and Rush as part of a nine day culture and climbing adventure in Mexico. Great acclimation peak before attempting the higher volcanoes, reminded me a lot of climbing CO 14ers in summer.

Great easy hike, good prep for Ixta and Orizaba. Easy to access with public transportation. The huts at the base of the hike are really nice (and pretty expensive at around $60-80 a night if I remember)

Very nice weather after coming from Colorado in winter. Great mountain on its own...doesn't need to be just an acclimatization climb. Be sure to eat at the restaurant at the park...best meal of the entire trip.

Started at sunrise and reached the summit by noon with 4 dogs from the Centro Vacacional - they kept me company the whole way. There were clear views and it was surprisingly hot on top (the slopes around the summit were still quite snowy)